Potential Role of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Pain Sensitization and Jaw Function in Temporomandibular Disorder Patients.

BACKGROUND: The relationships between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and diverse types of pain disorders have been reported. However, the interaction between OSA and pain-related temporomandibular disorder (TMD) remains obscure. METHODS: A total of 60 adults (male/female, 48/12; mean age, 41.7 ± 13.2 years) with pain-related TMD were enrolled. All participants underwent overnight full-channel polysomnography and had assessment of size and position of the tongue, tonsillar size, height, and weight. Diagnostic Criteria/TMD criteria was applied to diagnose TMD. Myofascial trigger points (TrPs) were bilaterally evaluated in the two masticatory and four cervical muscles including the temporalis, masseter, trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, occipitalis, and splenius capitis muscles. Participants were divided into three groups in accordance with their levels of OSA. RESULTS: The significantly higher number of active TrPs were detected in participants with severe OSA. The number of active TrPs in the masticatory muscles significantly interacted with diverse types of apneic and arousal indices. CONCLUSION: The myofascial pain modulating mechanisms and jaw function could have interactions with nocturnal hypoxia and sleep fragmentation in chronic pain-related TMD patients.

Relationship between skeletal bone mineral density and subjective masticatory difficulty.

BACKGROUND: Masticatory ability is an essential factor for sustaining quality of life and social and systemic well-being, particularly in elderly. This study aimed to reveal the association between subjective masticatory difficulty and skeletal bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted from 2008 to 2011 were analyzed. This study included 13,092 Koreans (5656 males, 7436 females) over 50 years of age. Masticatory difficulty was evaluated based on a self-reported questionnaire. Areal BMD of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine as well as lean body mass were determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Data about the sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, number of teeth present, sum of decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze associations between subjective masticatory difficulty and BMD, adjusting for the confounding covariates. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the areal BMD of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine as well as lean body mass accordance with the presence of subjective masticatory difficulty in both males and females. The number of teeth, DMFT, and CPI score did not show significant differences based on the presence of self-reported satisfaction of chewing performance in both males and females. Results from multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that the subjective masticatory difficulty showed significant interactions with skeletal BMD and the associations between masticatory satisfaction and BMD of the total hip and femoral neck were more prominent in females compared to those in males. CONCLUSIONS: The skeletal BMD, particularly areal BMD of the femoral neck was significantly associated with subjective masticatory difficulty in elderly, especially in elder females.

Development of an Oral and Maxillofacial Frailty Index: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to develop an index to measure oral and maxillofacial frailty in older adults as an acceptable screening tool. METHODS: Three hundred adults (aged ≥ 50 years) participated in this study by telephone interview. Ten candidate items for the Oral and Maxillofacial Frailty Index (OMFI) and 20 matched detailed items for oral and maxillofacial functions were asked. Information about sociodemographic and oral health-related variables was also obtained. The test-retest reliability of the 10 candidate items was determined. Correlations of the 10 candidate items with the 20 detailed items or sociodemographic and oral health-related variables were analysed to test the validity of the candidate items. To suggest optimal items for the OMFI, five different models with different numbers of items were constructed and evaluated based on their associations with main variables. RESULTS: The overall internal consistency of the 10 candidate items was .704, and the Cronbach's alpha value of each item was .23-.55. The test-retest reliability was excellent. There were significant correlations between the 10 candidate and 20 matched detailed items. The score of the 10 candidate items was significantly different according to gender, education level and oral health-related variables. The final five items for the OMFI were difficulties in chewing, the necessity of water when eating dry food, difficulties in jaw or tongue movements, difficulties in speaking or pronunciation and difficulties in facial expression. CONCLUSIONS: The five items could be used as a screening tool for evaluating oral and maxillofacial frailty in older adults.

Blood contamination in salivary diagnostics: current methods and their limitations.

The use of saliva samples in clinical studies has increased. However, the diagnostic value of whole saliva is compromised in the presence of blood contamination, owing to the higher levels of analytes in blood compared with those in saliva. The aim of this study was to review the existing methods and their limitations for measuring the levels of blood contamination in saliva. A literature search was performed using Web of Science, SCOPUS, and PubMed databases and 49 articles dealing with salivary diagnostics and measurements of blood contamination were included. Five methods for measuring the degree of blood components in saliva were discussed, including "visual inspection", use of "strip for urinalysis", and detection of plasma proteins such as "hemoglobin", "albumin", and "transferrin". Each method has its limitations, and transferrin has been regarded as the most reliable and valid marker for blood contamination in saliva. However, transferrin in whole saliva may not be solely a product of blood, and its level in whole saliva can be influenced by several factors such as age, gonadal hormones, salivary flow rate, chewing performance, and oral microorganisms. In conclusion, when quantitatively analyzing whole saliva samples, the influence of blood contamination should be considered.

Clinical factors affecting salivary transferrin level, a marker of blood contamination in salivary analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic value of whole saliva may be compromised when blood contamination is present in saliva samples. Measuring transferrin level in saliva samples has been used for detecting the level of blood contamination in saliva. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of transferrin as a proper biomarker for blood contamination in whole saliva. METHODS: Thirty younger (mean age: 25.9 ± 2.1 years) and twenty older (mean age: 65.1 ± 9.0 years) females were included. The index reflecting overall gingival inflammation (total gingival index), salivary flow rate, and salivary concentration and secretion rate of transferrin of each subject were analyzed. RESULTS: Salivary transferrin concentrations and secretion rates were higher in the younger females than in the older ones despite a lower total gingival index in the younger females. The total gingival index showed no significant correlations with the concentration or secretion rate of transferrin in either unstimulated or stimulated whole saliva of younger and older subjects. The salivary concentration of transferrin showed negative correlations with the flow rate of saliva in both the younger and older groups. There were significant positive correlations between the salivary concentrations and secretion rates of transferrin in both the younger and older groups. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary transferrin levels could be affected by other factors as well as the level of blood contamination. The influences of age, gonadal hormones, salivary flow rate, and chewing performance need to be considered when using the salivary level of transferrin as a blood contamination marker.

Validation of the Korean Academy of Geriatric Dentistry screening questionnaire and oral frailty diagnostic criteria in community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to establish the validity-specifically, the sensitivity and specificity-of the screening questionnaire and diagnostic criteria for oral frailty proposed by the Korean Academy of Geriatric Dentistry (KAGD) among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This study enrolled 100 participants. Among various definitions of oral frailty, this study used the criteria proposed by Tanaka as the reference test. The screening questionnaire consisted of 11 items for screening physical frailty, chewing ability, swallowing difficulties, oral dryness, and tongue and lip motor function. Each question had a different scoring weight, and if the total score was 1 or higher, an oral frailty diagnostic examination proposed by the KAGD would be recommended. The diagnostic test was the oral frailty diagnostic criteria proposed by the KAGD including 6 measures: chewing ability, occlusal force, tongue pressure, oral dryness, swallowing difficulty, and oral hygiene. If a participant exhibited 2 or more positive measures, this participant was classified as "oral frail." The screening questionnaire was analyzed using a cut-off value of 1 or higher, while the diagnostic criteria utilized a cut-off of 2 or more positive measures. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. RESULTS: The screening questionnaire showed significant power for screening oral frailty (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.783; sensitivity, 87.8%; specificity, 52.5%). The diagnostic accuracy of the newly proposed diagnostic criteria was acceptable (sensitivity, 95.1%; specificity, 42.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The newly proposed screening questionnaire and diagnostic criteria in Korea appear to be a useful tool to identify oral frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

Associations between oral health status and risk of fractures in elder adults.

Oral health condition, bone mineral density, skeletal muscle mass, fall, fracture, and frailty seem to be strongly interconnected. This study aimed to investigate associations between probability of osteoporotic fractures and oral health in the elderly. In total, 2322 Korean subjects from the 2008-2009 Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey aged over 65 years were included. The 10-year probabilities of major and hip fractures were calculated using the Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) tool. Data on anthropometry, skeletal bone mineral density, sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, individual history of fractures and falls, parental history of osteoporosis, number of teeth, metabolic syndrome, the Decayed, Missing, and Filled permanent Teeth index, and Community Periodontal Index (CPI), were collected. Participants were classified into three groups based on FRAX score for major osteoporotic fractures. A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to analyze associations between FRAX scores and oral health-related factors, adjusting for confounding factors. BMI, presence of metabolic syndrome, number of teeth, dental patterns, and CPI score showed significant differences among three groups in males and females. Results from multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated significant relationships between total tooth number and probabilities of fracture in male and female elderly. The interdisciplinary approach for handling osteoporosis and sarcopenia including dentists, physicians is necessary to facilitate a better quality of life in the elderly.

Obstructive sleep apnea and anatomical structures of the nasomaxillary complex in adolescents.

The aim of the present study was to reveal the associations between skeletal and soft tissue features of the nasomaxillary complex and development and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adolescents. A total of 100 adolescents (mean age, 14.9 ± 1.4 years; age range, 13-17 years) were enrolled. All participants underwent full-night polysomnography and had an assessment of size and position of the tongue, tonsillar size, body mass index (BMI), and circumference of the waist, neck, and hip. The skeletal features of the nasomaxillary complex, including the zygomatic arch width, nasal cavity width, nasal base width, intercanine width, intermolar width, maxillary dental arch length, palatal vault angle, palatal depth, and SNA were measured on the three-dimensional images constructed with computed tomography data. Participants with an apnea and hypopnea index (AHI) of lower than 5 (AHI ≤ 5) were classified as control and participants while those with an AHI of greater than 5 were classified as OSA group. Each variable with a significant outcome in the independent T-test and age and sex factors were integrated into the multivariate linear regression and the dependent variable was AHI. There were significant differences in the BMI and hip circumference between two groups. The width of nasal base, palatal vault angle and SNA also showed significant differences between groups. The results from multivariate linear regression demonstrated that the BMI, width of the nasal base, and SNA showed significant contributions to the severity of OSA in adolescents. The features of the nasomaxillary complex seemed to have significant influences on development and severity of OSA.

Risk Factors of Frailty in Patients with Distal Radius Fractures.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for the incidence of frailty in patients with distal radius fractures (DRFs). Methods: In total, 116 patients (mean age, 66.3 ± 7.7 years) with DRFs were recruited. The participants were categorized into two groups, "frail" and "non-frail," according to the presence or absence of frailty, respectively. The areal bone mineral densities (aBMDs) of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The participants' levels of resilience, depression, anxiety, nutritional intake, oral health-related quality of life, and social support were evaluated by self-reported questionnaires. The participants' grip strength, gait speed, number of teeth present in their oral cavities, circumference of their upper arms and calves, and serum levels of vitamin D were also assessed. Results: The participants in the "frail" group seemed to have lower aBMDs and muscle function and mass than those in the "non-frail" group. There were significant differences in grip strength, calf circumference, gait speed, and aBMD of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine between the groups. There were also significant differences in the levels of resilience and depression between the groups. A multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that levels of sarcopenia, malnutritional status, and aBMDs of the total hip and femoral neck had significant relationships with the development of frailty in patients with DRFs. Conclusions: An interdisciplinary approach involving the management of osteoporosis, sarcopenia, oral health, social relationships, and psychological support would be required for the proper management of DRF patients in preventing frailty.

Is a neuropathic mechanism involved in the perception of oral dryness?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to review the existing phenomena which could affect subjective oral dryness and to consider the possibility that neural processing is involved in the perception of oral dryness. DESIGN: A comprehensive review of scientific literatures relevant to contributing factors of dry mouth symptoms including salivary parameters related with oral dryness and role of neural mechanisms in perception of dry mouth symptoms was conducted. RESULTS: Several previous reports suggested the possibility of neural processing mechanisms in perception of oral dryness. The decreased pain threshold in the oral cavity of rats with dry tongue and complaints of subjective oral dryness in patients with burning mouth syndrome, of which lacked an actual decrease in salivary output and mucosal wetness, could support this idea. Sensory changes in the oral mucosa and oral dryness may have a bi-directional influence that patients with oral dryness would be more subject to neuropathic pain in the oral mucosa, and those with neuropathic pain in the oral cavity could have complaints associated with higher levels of dry mouth symptoms. CONCLUSION: A bi-directional influence between sensory change in the oral mucosa and subjective oral dryness could be assumed. We suggest the administration of neuropathic pain medications for controlling subjective oral dryness in patients without objective sign of hyposalivation.

Decreased mandibular cortical bone quality after botulinum toxin injections in masticatory muscles in female adults.

This study aimed to clarify how masticatory muscle atrophy induced by botulinum toxin (BTX) injection affects cortical bone quality of the mandible using 3D modeling technology. A total of 39 young (26.9 ± 6.0 years) and 38 post-menopausal (55.3 ± 6.3 years) females were included. Computed tomography (CT) images were obtained before and after 12 months of treatment. Predictor variables were application of a stabilization splint, and/or two times of BTX injection in the bilateral temporalis and masseter muscles within a six-month interval. Outcome variables were changes in average Hounsfield units (HU) and cortical thickness of region of interest (ROI). 3D mandibular models were reconstructed using CT images, and models were used to calculate average HU and cortical thickness of ROIs, including inferior half of the lateral surface of ascending ramus, coronoid process, and temporomandibular joint condyle. Cortical bone quality at muscle insertion site was influenced by decreased muscle thickness but seemed not to be affected by decreased functional loading. Reduced functional loading seemed to influence cortical bone quality of the condyles. These effects were more remarkable in post-menopausal females. Hence, decreased masticatory muscle thickness may lead to alterations of the mandibular cortical structures, especially in post-menopausal females.

Autonomic and Psychologic Risk Factors for Development of Tinnitus in Patients with Chronic Temporomandibular Disorders.

AIMS: To investigate the roles of autonomic regulation and psychologic condition in the development of tinnitus in patients with chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: In total, 55 participants (mean age 36.4 ± 12.6 years; 7 men, 48 women) were involved: 13 with no signs of painful TMD or tinnitus (CON), 15 with painful TMD without tinnitus (pTMD), and 27 with both painful TMD and tinnitus (TMDTIN). The Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) were used to classify painful TMD and self-reported tinnitus, respectively. Measures of arterial heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were assessed at rest and in response to orthostatic challenges, cold-stress vasoconstriction, Valsalva maneuver, and psychologic stress. The sympathetic variables (BP responses to standing, cold stress, and psychologic stress) and parasympathetic variables (HR response to Valsalva maneuver [Valsalva ratio] and active standing [30:15 ratio]) were estimated. RESULTS: Parasympathetic measures demonstrated significant differences between pTMD and TMDTIN. The period of pain duration showed significant positive correlations with BP variables during orthostatic challenges and/or cold stress in both pTMD and TMDTIN. THI scores showed significant positive correlations with results from the psychologic analysis. The range of motion of the mandible demonstrated a greater correlation with results from the psychologic analysis in TMDTIN compared to pTMD. CONCLUSION: Dysregulated psychophysiologic interactions may affect the development of tinnitus in patients with chronic TMD.

Craniofacial anomalies associated with spondyloenchondrodysplasia: Two case reports.

RATIONALE: Spondyloenchondrodysplasia (SPENCD) is an autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia by biallelic mutations in ACP5 gene encoding tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). The extra-osseous phenotype of SPENCD is pleiotropic and involves neurological impairment and immune dysfunction. Dentofacial abnormalities and orofacial symptoms in SPENCD patients have been little discussed in the literature. PATIENTS CONCERNS: Herein we present clinical and radiological data regarding 2 siblings with SPENCD. Both patients exhibited short stature, cervical platyspondyly, growth disturbance with multiple skeletal deformities of the wrist, and systemic lupus erythematosus related autoimmunity. They experienced prolonged pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area and exhibited delayed dental development. One patient presented with midface hypoplasia, retrognathic mandible, and anterior openbite. Computed tomographic images demonstrated delayed spheno-occipital synchondrosis, obtuse cranial base angle, overdeveloped and anteriorly displaced sphenoidal sinuses, and compressed ethmoidal sinuses. DIAGNOSIS: The genetic analysis revealed heterozygous for a missense mutations at ACP5 in both probands. INTERVENTIONS: Routine follow-up with conservative treatment were conducted for 12 months. OUTCOMES: The elder sister's orofacial pain was relieved but the boy showed sustained masticatory and cervical muscle pain and TMJ arthralgia which had changed in accordance with systemic condition. No further teeth eruption or skeletal growth was observed in 2 siblings during the follow-up period. LESSONS: These findings extend the phenotypic spectrum of SPENCD and indicate that compromised endochondral ossification and the loss of TRAP activity may affect altered dentofacial development and orofacial symptoms.

Relationships between oral MUC1 expression and salivary hormones in burning mouth syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate possible relationships among oral mucosal epithelial MUC1 expression, salivary female gonadal hormones and stress markers, and clinical characteristics in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). DESIGN: Thirty post-menopausal female patients with BMS (60.0±5.0 years) were included. Clinical and psychological evaluations were performed and the expression level of oral mucosal epithelial MUC1 was analyzed. The levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 17ß-estradiol, progesterone, chromogranin A, and blood contamination were determined from unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) and stimulated whole saliva (SWS) samples. RESULTS: Salivary progesterone level had significant positive correlations with oral mucosal epithelial MUC1 expression level and with salivary cortisol and DHEA levels. The salivary level of 17ß-estradiol showed significant positive correlations with period of symptom duration, severity of effects of oral complaints on daily life, and results from psychological evaluations. Cortisol level in UWS and cortisol/DHEA ratio in UWS and SWS had negative correlations with severity of oral burning sensation significantly. The severity of taste disturbance had positive correlations with results from psychometry significantly. CONCLUSION: Dysregulated psychoendocrinological interactions might affect oral mucosal MUC1 expression and severity of oral burning sensation in post-menopausal BMS patients.

Inhibition of malodorous gas formation by oral bacteria with cetylpyridinium and zinc chloride.

OBJECTIVE: The antimicrobial efficacy of zinc- (ZnCl2) and cetylpyridinium-chloride (CPC) and their inhibition capacity on volatile sulfur compound (VSC) production by oral bacterial strains were investigated. DESIGN: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and growth curves were determined for ZnCl2, CPC, and CPC with ZnCl2 solutions against eight oral microorganisms (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans) known to be involved in the pathophysiology of both halitosis and periodontal disease. Gas chromatography was applied to measure VSCs (H2S, CH3SH, (CH3)2S) production levels of each strains following exposure to the solutions. RESULTS: ZnCl2 and CPC effectively inhibited growth of all eight strains. ZnCl2 was generally more effective than CPC in suppressing bacterial growth excluding A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. intermedia, and T. forsythia. Synergism between CPC and ZnCl2 was shown in A. actinomycetemcomitans. The MIC for CPC was significantly lower than ZnCl2. VSC production was detected in five bacterial strains (A. actinomycetemcomitans, F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and T. forsythia). Each bacterial strain showed unique VSCs production profiles. H2S was produced by F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, and T. denticola, CH3SH by all five strains and (CH3)2S by A. actinomycetemcomitans, F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, and T. denticola. Production of CH3SH, the most malodorous component among the three major VSCs from mouth air was evident in F. nucleatum and T. forsythia. CONCLUSION: Both ZnCl2 and CPC effectively inhibit bacterial growth causative of halitosis and periodontal disease, resulting in a direct decrease of bacterial VSCs production.

Antimicrobial effectiveness of cetylpyridinium chloride and zinc chloride-containing mouthrinses on bacteria of halitosis and peri-implant disease.

PURPOSE: To clarify the antimicrobial efficacy of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) by testing their impact on the growth of seven bacterial strains known to be involved in the pathophysiology of both peri-implant disease and halitosis-Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A time-response growth curve was obtained. Commercial mouthrinses with CPC, ZnCl2, or both were added to the media in a final concentration of 0.25% CPC, 2.5% ZnCl2, and 2.5% ZnCl2 with 0.25% CPC. RESULTS: Both CPC and ZnCl2 effectively inhibited the growth of almost all bacterial strains tested except T denticola. ZnCl2 was generally more effective in suppressing bacterial growth than CPC. ZnCl2 with CPC showed the greatest inhibitory activities on almost all strains of bacterial growth except for P gingivalis and T denticola, followed by ZnCl2, then CPC, thus suggesting the possibility of a synergistic effect of the two agents. P gingivalis exhibited a different pattern because ZnCl2 showed the most significant inhibitory effect. CPC did not show growth inhibitory effects on T denticola, but ZnCl2 did. CONCLUSION: Zinc and CPC effectively inhibit bacterial growth that causes both halitosis and peri-implant disease. The effect is even more powerful when applied in combination.

Physical and biological properties of yam as a saliva substitute.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the viscosity and wettability of a water-soluble extract of yam and its effects on lysozyme and peroxidase activities. DESIGN: Human whole saliva, yam tuber, hen egg-white lysozyme, and bovine lactoperoxidase were used. Viscosity was measured with a cone-and-plate digital viscometer, while wettability was determined by measuring the contact angle. Lysozyme activity was determined by the turbidimetric method. Peroxidase activity was determined using the NbsSCN assay. Hydroxyapatite beads were used as a solid-phase. RESULTS: The viscosity of the yam solution was proportional to its concentration, with diluted yam solutions at 1:5 and 1:10 in simulated salivary buffer displaying similar viscosity values to unstimulated whole saliva and stimulated whole saliva, respectively. The contact angle of yam solution was not significantly different according to the tested materials or yam concentrations. Contact angles of yam solutions on acrylic resin were higher than those of human saliva. Yam affected lysozyme and peroxidase activities, and those effects were different on the hydroxyapatite surface versus in solution. Hydroxyapatite-adsorbed yam increased subsequent adsorption of lysozyme and peroxidase. CONCLUSION: We objectively confirmed the similarity of the viscoelastic properties of yam and human saliva, suggesting a role for yam in the development of effective saliva substitutes.